The average lifespan of a golden retriever is ten to 12 years. This old girl is almost double that, and is officially the world’s longest living dog of her breed!
August the golden retriever, known as Augie, lives in Tennessee with her family, and in April 2020 turned 20 years old.
Last week she was named the longest living dog of her breed, and is still going strong!
One of her owners, Jennifer Hetterscheidt, told the golden retriever blog, Golden Hearts, that Augie is “a bit shaky” when she wakes up, but still enjoys her daily walks around the yard.
Hetterscheidt and her husband, Steve, adopted Augie when she was 14, after she’d already been rehomed twice – through no fault of her own. Augie was diagnosed with kidney issues the same year, which are managed with special food and dietary supplements. The couple figured that most people wouldn’t want to adopt a dog that was already past the average lifespan, but has had six happy years with her – and counting!
The Hetterscheidts planned to host a 100-person party for Augie’s 20th birthday, which had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t worry though, the lucky girl still had a party with her various canine and feline siblings, with decorations, a carrot cake and all of her favourite food, including blueberries, bread and pasta.
Augie has some way to go to beat the overall record for the oldest dog ever, though. That accolade remains with Bluey the Australian cattle-dog, who lived to the ripe old age of 29 years and five days before being put to sleep in 1939, according to the Guinness World Records.
Happy (belated) birthday to Augie and may she have many more!
